The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is looking for a successor to Duncan Fletcher to take over as India’s coach. Sourav Ganguly reportedly spoke to Jagmohan Dalmiya about the possibility, although he played it down later. However, the race is still wide open. Nishad Pai Vaidya picks five candidates for the job.
1. Sourav Ganguly
Reports emerged on Thursday that the former India captain had met with the BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya to express his interest for the job. Given the respect Ganguly commands in the whole country, cricket fans were excited. But Ganguly played down the buzz in cricketing circles. Ganguly has the credentials for the post. He is one of India’s most successful captains and built a base for his successors to take off. It was in his tenure that India started winning overseas and fashioned into a strong unit. Ganguly is also an astute thinker of the game, as is evident from his commentary. He is a strong personality who commands respect and is unafraid to speak his mind. He is a strong personality.
2. Rahul Dravid
Ganguly’s deputy back in the early days, Rahul Dravid is known to be cricket’s perfect gentleman. A great player in his day, Dravid is amiable and well respected by the players. As a captain, he had mixed success with his tenure ending abruptly, which heralded the MS Dhoni-era. While Dravid is revered by the current generation of players, for most grew up watching him play, he isn’t someone who will be forceful. The “Nice Guy” personality may not go well with the abrasive outlook of Virat Kohli, the present Test captain and who is expected to lead the nation across all formats in the not so distant future.
3. Michael Hussey
The southpaw continues to play in T20 leagues and seems to be very fit. MS Dhoni, the Indian skipper, has suggested Michael Hussey as India’s possible coach. Having worked with him at the Chennai Super Kings as a player, Dhoni knows him from close quarters. Hussey seems to be in the Gary Kirsten mould, who is quiet, understated and will take a backseat. At the same time, he has that Aussie fire to win. It is unlikely that he will get the job now as he seems to be playing in tournaments. It may be a possibility in future. He has already started that journey as he worked with the South African team during the recent World Cup.
4. Stephen Fleming
Stephen Fleming has been the coach of Chennai Super Kings since 2009 and has done a phenomenal job. He isn’t someone who hogs the limelight, but quietly operates in the background. Fleming led New Zealand for almost a decade and has brought those leadership qualities into coaching. Although he has a very serious look, Fleming is affable and has a good sense of humour. He knows to bond with his players and it quite an important characteristic. However, he too is unlikely to take up the role as that would keep him away from his family for a major part of the year.
5. Sanjay Bangar
Sanjay Bangar was a good cricketer in his day, but did not get too many opportunities at the highest level. At the domestic level, he was one of the finest players during his time. Bangar is currently a part of the Indian coaching staff and worked as an Assistant to Duncan Fletcher. He has had success with Kings XI Punjab and is in the Fleming-mould. He may not have the stature as some of the other players, his coaching credentials speak for themselves. He could be in line for a promotion if the others do not agree to take up the job.
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45. The above article was first published in CricketCountry)
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 "Four players who can be India coach")
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